Desperately Waiting (on Wednesday)

Weekly post hosted by Breaking The Spine.

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
Publication Date: July 1st, 2014
Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books (Penguin)
Page Count: 384 pages

Summary: Suppose your life sucks. A lot. Your husband has done a vanishing act, your teenage stepson is being bullied and your math whiz daughter has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you can’t afford to pay for. That’s Jess’s life in a nutshell—until an unexpected knight-in-shining-armor offers to rescue them. Only Jess’s knight turns out to be Geeky Ed, the obnoxious tech millionaire whose vacation home she happens to clean. But Ed has big problems of his own, and driving the dysfunctional family to the Math Olympiad feels like his first unselfish act in ages . . . maybe ever.

I like the premise for this one, and I have her other books on my to read list, and I bought an actual copy of one of them both for the summary and the pretty cover, so I hope I enjoy it, as well as this one in the future! What titles are you waiting on?

Top Ten Books if you like...True Blood!

This meme is hosted by the girls over at The Broke and The Bookish.

Ok I like many things paranormal/fantasy and a touch campy when it comes to some of my entertainment. True Blood is just that while also being a bit badass at times (and with some romance added).

Crux by Moira Rogers (Southern Arcana)

Summary: Jackson Holt makes a decent living as a private investigator in New Orleans. When a local bar owner asks him to do a little digging on her newest hire. New Orleans is the fourth destination in as many months for Mackenzie Brooks, a woman on the run from a deranged stalker. After all, any man who shows up on her doorstep claiming to be her destined lover has more than a few screws loose. But crazy doesn't explain why he always finds her no matter how far she runs. When her well-meaning boss puts a PI on her case, Mackenzie comes face to face with the incredible truth: magic is real, and whatever spell has kept her hidden and separate from the paranormal world is rapidly deteriorating.

Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian (Midnight Breed)
Summary: When Gabrielle witnesses a murder outside the club, reality shifts into something dark and deadly. In that shattering instant she is thrust into a realm she never knew existed—a realm where vampires stalk the shadows and a blood war is set to ignite. Lucan Thorne despises the violence carried out by his lawless brethren. A vampire himself, Lucan is a Breed warrior, sworn to protect his kind—and the unwitting humans existing alongside them—from the mounting threat of the Rogues. Lucan cannot risk binding himself to a mortal woman, but when Gabrielle is targeted by his enemies, he has no choice but to bring her into the dark underworld he commands.

Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark Hunters)

Summary: He is solitude. He is darkness. He is the ruler of the night. Yet Kyrian of Thrace has just woken up handcuffed to his worst nightmare: An accountant. Worse, she's being hunted by one of the most lethal vampires out there. And if Amanda Devereaux goes down, then he does too. But it's not just their lives that are hanging in the balance. Kyrian and Amanda are all that stands between humanity and oblivion. Let's hope they win.

A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole (Immortals After Dark)
Summary: After enduring years of torture from the vampire horde, Lachlain MacRieve, leader of the Lykae Clan, is enraged to find the predestined mate he's waited millennia for is a vampire. Or partly one. This Emmaline is a small, ethereal half Valkyrie/half vampire, who somehow begins to soothe the fury burning within him. Sheltered Emmaline Troy finally sets out to uncover the truth about her deceased parents—until a powerful Lykae claims her as his mate and forces her back to his ancestral Scottish castle.Yet when an ancient evil from her past resurfaces, will their desire deepen into a love that can bring a proud warrior to his knees and turn a gentle beauty into the fighter she was born to be?

The Undead Next Door by Kerrelyn Sparks (Love At Stake)

Summary: Three signs that something is very different with your new man: 1) He sleeps all day...which would be annoying except he's so attentive at night. 2) He's attacked by sword-wielding assailants, yet insists he can handle it on his own. 3) He never seems to age. Heather Westfield has always lived a quiet life, but that all changes when she helps a very handsome, very mysterious stranger. There's something not quite right about Jean-Luc, but still, she's never been with a man so charming, so attractive...so wonderful. Now if only a murderous villain wasn't after them, they might get their happily-ever-after.

Bit The Jackpot by Erin McCarthy (Vegas Vampires)
Summary: Vampire Seamus Fox is supposed to be the campaign manager for a Vampire Nation presidential candidate. Instead, he finds himself running around Vegas keeping tabs on the candidate's wife and female entourage. Seamus has had his fill of women: a disastrous and deadly love affair has haunted him for over two centuries. Talk about baggage. But suddenly he finds himself obsessed with a mysterious stripper who dances behind a screen. The sultry yet shy Cara Kim whets his appetite for more, but leave it to Seamus to fall fangs over feet for that rarest of Vegas attractions-a good girl. After a sudden run-in on the street, though, they may soon have a lot more in common...

Accidentally Dead by Dakota Cassidy (Accidentally Friends)

Summary: It's a lousy first day on the job for Nina Blackman when a patient, loopy from the anesthesia, bites her. At least he was cute. But for real drama she can't beat the next evening. Nina wakes up with a set of razor-sharp fangs, bionic vision, supersonic hearing, and a taste for blood. But there's a good explanation: It's her patient, Long Island vampire Greg Statleon. Actually they're perfect for each other if Nina's willing to commit to one man for eternity.

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson)
Summary: Mercedes "Mercy" Thompson is a talented Volkswagen mechanic living in the Tri-Cities area of Washington. She also happens to be a walker, a magical being with the power to shift into a coyote at will. Mercy's next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a bus for a vampire. This is the world of Mercy Thompson, one that looks a lot like ours but is populated by those things that go bump in the night. And Mercy's connection to those things is about to get her into some serious hot water... 

Wicked Enchantment by Anya Bast (Dark Magick)

Summary: All eyes are on Gabriel Mac Braire the day he makes his first appearance in the Seelie Court, including those of Aislinn Finvarra. Despite deep bitterness over her last failed relationship, Aislinn cannot help but be curious about the half incubus who is known to possess dark magick, both lethal and sexual in nature. Rumors abound of the women who have become enslaved to his irresistible charms. So when the Summer Queen of the fae orders Aislinn herself to act as his guide in the court, she is understandably on guard. She's fallen under the spell of far less persuasive men before. In addition, Gabriel might be more than he seems, and his true mission is far from innocent.

Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake)
Summary: Anita Blake may be small and young, but vampires call her the Executioner. Anita is a necromancer and vampire hunter in a time when vampires are protected by law. Now someone's killing innocent vampires and Anita agrees—with a bit of vampiric arm-twisting—to help figure out who and why. Trust is a luxury Anita can't afford when her allies aren't human. The city's most powerful vampire, Nikolaos, is 1,000 years old and looks like a 10-year-old girl. The second most powerful vampire, Jean-Claude, is interested in more than just Anita's professional talents, but the feisty necromancer isn't playing along—yet. This popular series has a wild energy and humor, and some very appealing characters—both dead and alive.

Let's talk about: book snobbery.

Have you ever been reading and someone asks what book it is, and when they find out they turn their nose up at your choice? Or have simply encountered another fellow reader and then you begin to discuss the kinds of books you like and the moment you name some of your favorites they suddenly lose their enthusiasm to talk to another fellow reader? All because they find your tastes to be so horrible compared to them. It's something I've encountered on occasion. Not just with people day to day, but more specifically, people within my major (English Literature). Professors are more accepting of different kinds of literature than some of the students!

Whether it's young adult fiction, adult fiction, erotic romances, etc. Books that most don't consider to be the kind of literature that gets you to critically think and use those so called theories learned when reading the classics. I mean, of course, we all occasionally cringe at certain books and their hype (like fifty shades of grey maybe). But I don't judge them for liking erotica. Personally, I'd simply recommend them some titles I like better and leave it at that.

And I know, I know. Who cares what others think? But why turn your nose up at someones preferred type of Literature? Why not celebrate that you've found yet another person who loves to read, no matter if they want to read something as difficult as Shakespeare or something more fun such as Harry Potter. Or even if it's one of those steamy romance novels with the half naked man on front. Reading is something that should be celebrated by anyone and everyone considering it's importance. There are all these genre's created for all kinds of people and all kinds of tastes and interests and some stick to one type of fiction, then others go for them all. But we all have that one important thing in common: we enjoy spending our time reading. 

We may never understand why others read what they read, and we may even cringe at their choices. But at some point there seems a line that shouldn't be cross, or am I wrong? And am I wrong to expect differently? I'll never understand the appeal of non-fiction. Ever. But that's ok. And I occasionally like the classics as well as those typical romance novels. I just know that I'll always have joy for others who love to read, even if every book they love is one I will never enjoy. That joy is why I wanted to create my own book blog and why I'd love a career involving books. I appreciate that amongst book bloggers, I've not seen any sort of judgements for each others tastes. Yet, of course, considering my presences as one is new.

Have you ever had someone judged you harshly for your choice of books? Or do you have different opinions on the topic?

Review Time: Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord
Publication Date: April 15th, 2014
Publisher: Walker Children's
Page count: 342 pages

Summary: After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own. Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence. This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking. A fresh new voice in contemporary romance, Emery Lord’s gorgeous writing hits all the right notes.

Open Road Summer was something I'd been greatly anticipating after hearing about it while going around visiting book blogs ( you've probably heard enough of it by now but I just have to talk about it). Whether it was people who had already read it or wanted to read it, I saw nothing but good things and my hype was quickly building. I even attempted to wait it out because school had me so busy and I was also currently reading something else. Alas, I'm not good at denying myself what I want! I started it....and I was immediately drawn into the book.

What I liked about it: Reagan O'neill, for starters. She was heart weary and a bit shattered emotionally after too many mistakes in her life, but she wanted to change things and to become a better version of herself. She didn't make excuses about her actions and she didn't take anyways crap. I also enjoyed that this was another female character in the young adult genre who wasn't squeaky clean; Reagan has had her fair share of fun with boys and other things and she's had her moments of carelessness.

“I wanted to reach back into my history with a grade-school pink eraser, scrubbing away my decisions like mistakes on a math test. Too bad I drew my mistakes in ink.”

Dee Montgomery was another great character. She was the complete opposite of Reagan in so many ways but she didn't judge Reagan for who she was or what she did. She was a sweetheart but she wasn't a bland one; you couldn't not love her and you certainly couldn't go without loving their friendship. It's one that most of us yearn for or are lucky enough to have ourselves.  They love each other to death, they trust one another so much with everything they have, and they support each other without a second of hesitancy when something goes wrong. Even if they're mad at each other. However, this doesn't mean their friendship was “perfect”. You can't be as close as they are and not occasionally butt heads. What's important is they don't let their fights get in between what's important to them: their friendships.

The third reason I liked it is the Romance of course! And Matt Finch. Thinking his name gives me warm feelings because he was such a beautiful addition to this novel. Reagan was hooked on him the moment they meet and so was I. But, Reagan being her new and improved self who doesn't want to do anything stupid, doesn't let him now just how much he affects her. They clash in the best of ways and his teasing is so perfect when it comes to breaking down Reagan's walls. His songs, his feelings, his actions, everything about him is so genuine and different than what Reagan believes she deserves so seeing the romance between them as they fell harder and harder was beyond any words I can type to try and explain. Did I mention he sings?

“Do you want me to beg you? Do you want me to say please? Then this is the rest of my pride, girl. This song is me down on my knees. Just give in, give in to me, girl. I'll give everything I've got.”

Overall, I enjoyed everything about this book. All of the characters, the plot, the dialogue and all the beautiful quotable words. Emery Lord gave me a contemporary young adult novel that I'll be thinking about for a long time, and will be making me switch up my list of favorites! Go forth and read it immediately!

Anxiously waiting! (on Wednesday)

Weekly post hosted by Breaking The Spine.

I discovered this one on goodreads a few weeks ago and it was talked about in one of the tea time arc party videos over at epic reads. I was immediately intrigued and I'm anticipating it impatiently!

The Things You Kiss Goodbye by Leslie Connor
Publication Date: June 24, 2014
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (HarperCollins)
Page Count: 368 pages

Summary: Bettina Vasilis can hardly believe it when basketball star Brady Cullen asks her out, and she just about faints when her strict father actually approves of him. But when school starts up again, Brady changes. What happened to the sweet boy she fell in love with? Then she meets a smoldering guy in his twenties, and this “cowboy” is everything Brady is not—gentle, caring, and interested in getting to know the real Bettina. Bettina knows that breaking up with Brady would mean giving up her freedom—and that it would be inappropriate for anything to happen between her and Cowboy. Still, she can’t help that she longs for the scent of his auto shop whenever she’s anywhere else. When tragedy strikes, Bettina must tell her family the truth—and kiss goodbye the things she thought she knew about herself and the men in her life. (via goodreads)

Want to participate? Find out how here. 

Ten Characters...Who Make The Best of Friends

*tv voice* Top Ten Tuesday is brought to you by The Broke and The Bookish. Click the link to find out more details.

We all want that special friend or group of friends who stick by us through thick and thin; ones that are there to support our every decision, good and bad. They make life interesting and you know that even when you annoy the hell out of each other they still have your back when things go south. Here are some characters who will do just that for the ones they love like crazy.

Reagan was not having anyones shit when it came to Dee and the media trying to trash her image. She'd prefer her own damaged reputation over Dee's anyday. Dee is just as beautiful loyal and loving as Reagan is closed off and distrustful. But these two girls love each other to infinity and they don't second guess the trust and the bond they have together.

Talk about loyalty. This is a guy who will put your happiness above a lot of things. Really, a lot. If you get Ridge to love you whether as a friend or a something more he's gonna stick by your side until the day you die. 

Nina can be very temperamental and first to start a confrontation if you sass her but when she loves you, she'll beat someones ass protecting you even if she secretly wants to beat yours herself. Just don't be too sensitive to her insults; she loves you. Promise.

When you have Kenji's loyalty, you have his wisdom. He's smart as hell when it comes to most things and if you're having a moment of insanity he'll mentally (or literally) slap you back into reality before telling you why you need to chill out and grow up. (Plus I love him. A lot.)

Cassidy will look past your flaws, the mistakes you've made, and the shitty things you do to keep people from putting any hope in you. He'll keep your secrets, give you his forgiveness, and you won't find him talking shit about you when you've got your back turned. He's sweeter than candy.

Sydney will protect you until it's no longer possibly, and she'll turn her back on her old prejudices and the prejudice of her kind to help you in any way she can. This says a lot, because there is much at risk when she gives you her all.

They don't just make great best friends, but they are each others best friends. They'll risk their vampiric powers to save you from dying and leaving them. These are two friends who are closer than most can possibly be and they don't drive each other too crazy.

If you call her in need, she's there and ready to get things done even if she's never left the safety of her hometown before. She'll fight creatures she never knew existed and she'll make alliances with the scary and sexy Jericho Barrons. Just know you'll owe her a hell of a lot after she's done.

.....................

Are there any friendships or loyal friends in books you enjoy most?